Lata Mangeshkar is regarded as one of the finest playback singers of India today and has displayed her musical gift in more than a thousand Bollywood movies and thirty-six regional-language movies. Born on 28th September 1929 (she turned 89 today!) as Hema Hardikar Mangeshkar, she has received the Bharat Ratna and the Dahasaheb Phalke Award in addition to several National Awards, Filmfare Awards, and Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards. Her singing career spans from the 1950s well into the recent years, which is why we have brought forward a list of her most-remembered Bollywood songs that are cherished even today.
“Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh” From Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960)
One of the most well-known songs of Mangeshkar, the song is a mixture of emotion and thought. Picturised on Meena Kumari, the Hawaiian elements and the chorus adds to the beauty of the song. Shot in a boat, it is one of the best songs sung by Mangeshkar.
“O Sajna Barkha Bahaar Aayi” From Parakh (1960)
The most popular song of the movie, this is where all the Bollywood rain love songs have taken their inspiration from. Though a black-and-white song portrayed by Sadhana, the fast beats and the rain-drenched scenes make it a perfect combination for a lovelorn rainy evening.
“Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha” From Anpadh (1962)
Performed by Mala Sinha, Lata Mangeshkar has contributed to some amazing music in this movie. The music director, Madan Mohan Kohli looked for lyrical perfection in his music and he chose the evergreen singer for this purpose. Like always, she didn’t disappoint him in her rendition.
“Lag Jaa Gale” From Woh Kaun Thi (1964)
Though there have been many modern renditions, nobody has been able to sing it like Mangeshkar. The pathos, the highs and lows and the emotions portrayed through the music could only be done by Mangeshkar. This is an example of a Dadra song (a light classical vocal form in Hindustani music) set in Raga Pahadi. The movie was performed by Sadhana in the movie.
“Piya Tose Naina Laage Re” From Guide (1965)
The dance sequence featured a number of musical instruments such as tabla, sarangi, harmonium, ghungroos, and north-eastern drums. Waheeda Rehman did justice to her performance, which was beautifully sung by Mangeshkar as well.
“Honthon Pe Aisi Baat” From Jewel Thief (1967)
One of the most brilliantly choreographed dance sequences in Bollywood, Vyjayanthimala has aced her dance steps perfectly in this song. Thanks to Mangeshkar and Bhupinder Singh’s magic, the grandeur of the song remains matchless even today with all the technology.
“Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai” From Shor (1972)
One of the most memorable songs of the movie, “Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma” was sung by both Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh in different versions. Portrayed by Nanda in a cameo role, she leaves her mark behind as she croons the song at the beach.
“Baahon Mein Chalo Aao” From Anamika (1973)
A romantic song listened to for decades, it is seductive yet extremely classy. Beautifully performed by Jaya Bhaduri, the song was shot at Sur Mandir, a bungalow owned by R.D. Burman on Khar Road in Bombay (now known as Mumbai).
“Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi” From Aandhi (1975)
A soulful song by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, it is all about lost love resurfaced once more. Portrayed on Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen, you begin to feel the essence of the song – what do we really get by sacrificing our love?
“Tujhse Naraaz Nahi Zindagi” From Masoom (1983)
Though the male version by Anup Ghoshal is better known by us, Mangeshkar’s version of R.D. Burman’s poignant composition cannot be ignored. Picturised on Shabana Azmi’s change of heart in the movie, this song is an example of the legendary singer’s range of music and repute even in the early 1980s.
The beauty of Lata Mangeshkar’s songs is that the present generation still chooses her songs to perform in reality shows. Her sense of melody and rhythm is classic, cementing her place as a unique singer in India.
